Easter Day
Jeremiah 31:1-6 Acts 10:34-43 Matthew 28:1-10
Gill was recently given an old book of sheet music containing songs from the 40’s. It reminded me of when I had to produce the sounds for the ‘Diary of Anne Frank’ when the drama group in one of my previous parishes was presenting it. Songs similar like ‘We’ll meet again’ went through my mind as it did for the play but also as Gill looked through the music she had been given.
Vera Lynn was a great forces favourite and this was one of her most well known and loved songs. It reminded members of the armed forces, who had been separated from home for long lengths of time, of when they would be reunited with their loved ones. The song also has a place today.
Easter Day, as we rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, our hearts are full of happiness and our tummies with Easter Eggs. But there is more to Easter than a few eggs. Traditionally we look about us seeing new lambs in the fields, with hardly a thought for the shepherds who spend many sleepless nights helping with the sheep and lambing. We see about us new growth with the spring bulbs shooting forth bringing colour to the hedgerows, to the gardens, and to the roadside. All around there is new life springing up. And in between this newness there is what we are used to seeing, the old faithful’s. Rather like going to an old familiar place for the first time in many years and saying, “Oh, I remember that, or that’s not changed”.
Jesus raising from the dead has shown to us all that death is not an end, full stop. But a change. In his heavenly kingdom we shall live again together with the angels and archangels, the saints and all who have gone on before.
Easter, when we read of the Resurrection, when we share in the excitement of the two Marys who, when visiting the tomb of Jesus, learnt that he has been raised from the dead, we can appreciate the fear they were overcome by, and we can share in the great joy that filled them, as they ran to tell the disciples of Jesus of the news. Yet, on the way to give this news they met Jesus, took hold of his feet, and they worshipped him, before being sent on their way.
The words of the Vera Lynn song very much appertain to today. Maybe not quite as Vera had intended. But, as they did all those years ago bringing comfort to people serving their country far away from home, so the same sentiment can bring comfort to those feeling the loss of bereavement today. For, yes, we will meet again in the heavenly kingdom, for Jesus Christ has risen from the dead and shown us the way.
Alleluia, Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!
Gill and I wish you a very Happy Easter.